A/N: Well my dad crashed my computer so I haven't had too much access to a computer lately. I did this chapter on my mom's laptop but it just doesn't feel right when I type. So I apologise for this chapter being short and kinda odd… but I blame the lap top for sucking the inspiration out of my soul and that's the story I'm sticking with.

You wont be able to escape our gaze but I warn you, and do take my warnings seriously this time, if you go to a mortal for aid again, they will be killed. Our secrets must remain our secrets Christine and you've got enough blood on your hands as it is. It's your fault he's dead.

No she couldn't do it again. Not bring that thing here, as she surely would, not when she'd already put him through so much suffering.

"I can't stay here, Erik." Christine spoke in a low calm voice, while focusing on a spot of the floor. His own voice drifted back just a resolutely.

"I will not let you leave then. Not unless you explain what has happened."

Christine wanted to cry but it seemed she had no more tears left. The two of them remained motionless and silent, while furious thoughts raced just behind their eyes.

"Very well then. You've made your point clear." Speaking more to herself then the looming figure before her, Christine rose from her seat, careful not to meet his eyes, and walked slowly passed his dark presence.

Erik's eyes never left her form as he watched the girl walk not towards the door, but to where her room had once been and still remained unchanged. He took a step towards her but she raised a hand, still not looking at him.

"You have made me your prisoner, Erik. As long as you keep me here, you have no right to ask anything of me. I will hold you to your word." With this, Christine made a final glance back to him, before entering her former chamber, and it was then that Erik saw it. A look in Christine's eyes, a change in facial expression, the hard line of her mouth; it was Christine but different somehow. She was changed.

With a quick sweep, Christine's eyes took in every detail of the cold, dusty room. Nothing had changed. It felt almost as though she were entering it again for the first time but instinctively knew where everything was kept.

At once she set out for the dresser and pulled from it an old, warm nightgown. She smiled wryly as she ran her hands down the expensive fabric. The smell of it was even inviting. And all the while a light knocking persisted at the door, but Christine paid it no mind as she slipped out of her worn dress.

"Christine?"

The voice drifted through the walls effortlessly, caressing the air around her, tugging her lightly away from reality. She felt like a child again, in this room, in this world, he would protect her. Why couldn't she stay? He said himself; no one could find them there, so why not stay?

The door creaked open only an inch, but then closed just as quickly. Christine shook her head clear of thoughts and continued to dress. It was good to know that of the many things Erik was, a gentleman was still one of them.

For the rest of the evening, Christine remained in her room going over the events of the past week in her head, trying desperately to make sense of it all, how she could have allowed this to happen, and what lay ahead of her. Occasionally, Erik would knock but seemed to have lost his nerve for out right entering the room. She recalled him mentioning something about food but she highly doubted he kept a supply of anything she'd be interesting in consuming. Instead of responding Christine simply remained still on her bed, hugging her small knees to her chest ever lost in the ocean of memories she now seemed to be swimming in.

How many horrors had she witnessed? How much death and bloodshed? Was she even alive anymore, and would it matter if she were? Raoul was dead, and she was to blame. And now she sat there, in this underground world, in Erik's domain, where she never could think straight to begin with, considering raining this whole mess down on him. How could she do it? She must leave or he'll be killed too, but she didn't want to go. Maybe he could protect her? But it was selfish to even consider it, how could even think it? Well look what she did to Raoul, where were her principles then? And now Raoul's dead.

When she did at last move, it was sometime after three in the morning. Slowly her bare feet padded across the floor, careful not to make a sound. Gently she pulled open her door and surveyed the room before her. It was empty and no sound disturbed the air but the light crackling of ambers from the fire. Empty and dead, that's what this room was, that's what she was; empty, dead, and cold.

It was there Erik found her, kneeling before the ambers, staring blindly into their glowing core, and making no response to his unannounced presence.

"Christine, you need your rest. You're not well." He stood beside her, speaking softly, but still she made no response. "Will you not tell me anything?"

A movement out of the corner of his eye made him turn his head, Christine seemed to have noticed too, for though she had not shifted from position, her eyes were undoubtedly focused now on the midsize spider now scuttling a mere foot from her body.

"I'll kill it," she heard Erik say with a sigh and her head shot to his direction, making full eye contact. The movement had startled him and he watched curiously as she lowered her gaze back to the spider. Then with out warning, her hand reached out and snatched the spider from its path.

"It seems silly, doesn't it?" the girl began, watching with a bored expression as the spider crawled hand over hand before her. "To be afraid of something so small, when there are much more dangerous predators to fear."

With the last few words, she turned her gaze blankly up to Erik, while closing her hands tightly.

No one said a word.

At last, Christine let out a loud sigh and rose to her feet, throwing the crushed spider into the ash. Glancing once more towards Erik, as though asking a silent question, she returned to her room.

Please R&R ; )